Bio

Michael Del Zotto Bio

A first-round pick (No. 20) of the New York Rangers in the 2008 NHL Draft, Del Zotto has developed into a strong two-way defenseman who says he gets as much pleasure out of blocking shots as he does taking them.

Strictly an offensive-minded player when he entered the League, Del Zotto made his NHL debut Oct. 2, 2009, against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the age of 19 years, 100 days, becoming the youngest defenseman in Rangers history to play in a season opener.

A first-round pick (No. 20) of the New York Rangers in the 2008 NHL Draft, Del Zotto has developed into a strong two-way defenseman who says he gets as much pleasure out of blocking shots as he does taking them.

Strictly an offensive-minded player when he entered the League, Del Zotto made his NHL debut Oct. 2, 2009, against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the age of 19 years, 100 days, becoming the youngest defenseman in Rangers history to play in a season opener.

Del Zotto's youth was hardly a problem as he scored his first NHL goal the next day against the Ottawa Senators and went on to finish eighth in balloting for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the League's top rookie, after ranking second among first-year defensemen with 37 points and leading rookies with 18 power-play assists. He also had the most goals (nine), assists (28) and points among Rangers defensemen. Del Zotto led New York defensemen in those categories again in 2011-12, when he had 10 goals, 31 assists and 41 points.

Del Zotto was traded to the Nashville Predators for Kevin Klein on Jan. 22, 2014, but he would only play 25 games for them. He signed a one-year contract as a free agent with the Philadelphia Flyers on Aug. 5, 2014.

Del Zotto, a native of Stouffville, Ontario, played in the Ontario Minor Hockey Association in 2005-06 with Markham. He played three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League and had 63 points for Oshawa in 2007-08, tying for third in the league among defensemen.